COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION2011 marks the 100th birthday of Mississippi Delta bluesman Robert Johnson who, according to legend, sold his soul down at the crossroads in a midnight bargain and changed music forever. Working again with our friends at Sony Legacy (yup, the same folks we did our Miles Davis-inspired Bitches Brew with), Dogfish Head pays tribute to this blues legend by gettin the hellhounds off his trail and into this finely-crafted ale.
Hellhound is a super-hoppy ale that hits 100 IBUs in the brewhouse, 10.0 ABV, 10.0 SRM in color, and dry-hopped with 100% centennial hops at a rate of 100 kilos per 100 barrel brew-length. Can you tell we at Dogfish are stoked for this mighty musical centennial? To accentuate and magnify the citrusy notes of the centennial hops (and as a shout out to Robert Johnsons mentor Blind Lemon Jefferson) we add dried lemon peel and flesh to the whirlpool.

Clear brilliant copper with a thin off white rocky Delightful hoppy nose thats a bit grassy with lemon peel and floral hoppy resins, and a kiss of boozy caramel. Big powerful flavor with a punchy grassy and lemony hoppy bitterness. Balanced while remaining big, bitter, lemony sweet, and tangy. Lots of lemon flesh and peel in the flavor as well as a swell grassy and slightly piney bitterness. And loads of caramel, and a touch of booze.

750 mL bottle dated 09/30/2013, bought on clearance. Fully hazed caramel pour with an off-white head. Lemon and oxidized grassy hop aroma. Lemony grassy flavor, spicy hops, and an earthy oxidized hop character that’s not really bad. Holds up surprisingly well for a hoppy beer of this age. I actually like it this way.

2015.05.19-Dogfish Head Hellhound on My Ale-750ml bottle in pint glass.
Brief review. I've had this bottle for a few years so it's probably 2011 vintage.
As for the 100 IBU, that's long gone it seems but it still tastes delightful. There seems to be grapefruit-y remnants but I think most of the citrus is coming from the lemon at this point.
This is honestly tasting a bit like a year old Bells Hopslam. Golden ale with a bit of the "stale hops" taste (though not unpleasant) and citrus notes. The honey in Hopslam replaced by a more biscuity malty sweetness.
Not bad, even this old.
Aroma 8/10
Appearance 4/5
Taste 8/10
Palate 3/5
Overall 14/20
---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

2/16/15. Bomber from the brewery. Pours burnt orange with a nice sticky head. Minimal lacing. Huge citrusy hop nose. Citrus in the mouth but no hint of sour. High ABV balances the hops but still taste the strong hop backbone. Goes down with just a slight bite.
---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

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